(August 21, 2017) – The victories have been far and few for Ray Cotolo this year in the harness racing Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge, but he made up for it big time this past weekend as he earned a net profit of $116.80, over a $100 more than his closest competitor. Megan Maccario remains on top for the third week in a row in the overall chase, 20 points ahead of the pack.

The contest week kicked off on Friday evening (8/18) at Vernon Downs and while the first two races of the evening were won by favorites, the Zweig Filly and Open races were upsets and Anne Stepien was the only handicapper able to tab one of the victors, Zweig Filly Stakes winner Evelyn ($16.00) which enabled her to be the only handicapper to show a net profit for the evening of $18.10.

Saturday night there was only one race on the contest card, the Sobeys Gold Cup and Saucer at Red Shores-Charlottetown Driving Park and once again only one handicapper came out in the black, Adam Friedland. Friedland managed to select the winner Shadow Place ($22.00) netting $29.80 for the evening.

Sunday's races at Tioga Downs and Hippodrome 3R saw Cotolo come to the table firing on all cylinders by managing to sweep all four tilts. Repentence ($4.20) in the Tompkins and Pasithea Face S ($3.40) in the Ms. Versatility were easy selections but reeling in Dealt A Winner ($72.40) in the Roll With Joe and Western Fame ($14.80) in the Prix d'Ete required spot-on handicapping. By sweeping the card, Cotolo netted $122.80 for the day.

The overall race remains tight with less than 30 points separating Maccario (704.23) from second place Rusty Nash (684.20) and third place Matt Rose (675.38). 

Next Up: This weekend, Mohawk Racetrack will be hosting the Nassagaweya (two year old pacers) and the Eternal Camnation (two year old filly pacers) on Saturday night while Tioga Downs hosts on Sunday the Crawford Farm Trot (open trotters) and Joie De Vie (filly and mare trotters) as well as the Artiscape for (filly and mare pacers).

The 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge is sponsored by Adam Friedland, DRF Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, The Hambletonian Society, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Red Shores Charlottetown/Summerside, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Wellbourne Farms, and WEG Entertainment.  The contest is administered by HANA Harness, the harness racing division of HANA, the Horseplayers Association of North America.  Fans may follow the challenge by visiting the contest site at http;//hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com. 

Allan Schott

HANA Harness Racing Coordinator

allan@hanaweb.org

Check out the HANA Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge